From under the dark ever present gaze of Peel Tower on Holcombe Hill near Ramsbottom, UK, comes alt-folk singer songwriter Michael R Shaw.

Like the people of his Lancashire hometown, Bury, his melodies and harmonies are unashamedly accessible and direct while his words are an always engaging mix of northern mill town misery combined with sharp, often cutting and blustering moor-side pathos. Comparisons for what they are worth, have been made to Nick Drake, Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen and Jake Thackray

On his new album HOW IS THIS HELPING? Michael collaborates for the first time with James Youngjohns (Anna Kashfi/Last Harbour). James has more recently co- produced and played guitar on Matt Hill’s latest album Return of the Idle Drones. Here with Michael, James produces, mixes and plays strings, keyboards, percussion and other instruments. There are also contributions from Adam Goodwin on guitars and Phil Popplewell on vocals (Mouse Party).

Michael discusses how writing and recording as a solo artist has affected the outcome..

"Recording on your own is hard. I've done a lot of it over the dreaded lockdown. Ironically, it has freedom; so there's more control than being in a band. Nothing moves unless you know about it. In truth I'm not sure that 'on my own' is where I function best. To begin a project however, I now feel that there aren't many better ways. You can move quickly when you don't have to stop at every street corner to wait for the rest - like some dejected tour-guide.

Collaborating with James has given the album a unifying identity. I'm a lyricist and I love words. I'm not as concerned about instrumentation as I probably ought to be. I love the impact his input has brought to my music; basically talent, fresh ears and a fresh point of view. It's left me free to think about the lyrics, the melody and what the album represents. I'd love to talk to you about that in time. Just for now though, I think it's more appropriate that people form their own views."

HOW IS THIS HELPING? has been described as;

”A masterful record that uses mortality as a way of considering what matters most. Hearing it as anything other than a response to tragedy seems nearly impossible. This is where we find Michael on HOW IS THIS HELPING? Sorting through sensations of despair and persistence like the reluctant but earnest curator of a psychiatric fire sale”.

Thanks for coming here and thanks for listening to his music.